APEDA Pavilion adjudged the Best Int'l Pavilion at the ‘PRO FOOD PRO PACK 2012’

The ‘Pro Food Pro Pack 2012’ was held from 6-8 July 2012 at BMICH Colombo.

45 Indian companies participated in the exhibition under the banner of Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and from Kerala showcasing their wide range of agro and food products to Sri Lankans and business community. There was strong buyer interest in the Indian products such as wine, fresh fruits like mango, pomegranate, apples from Kashmir and Himachal, table honey, ready-to-eat snack foods, pulps, fruit juices, health foods, curry paste and fresh ginger.

APEDA is an apex body set up under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India for the development and promotion of export of agricultural products including Floriculture, Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, Processed Foods, Livestock Products, Alcoholic and Non-alcoholic beverages, cereal products, groundnuts, peanuts and walnuts, pickles, papads and chutneys, etc.. Under the banner of APEDA, around 20 Indian companies had successfully participated in the ‘Pro Food Pro Pack 2011’.  APEDA pavilion was adjudged the best pavilion in the international category at the “Pro Food Pro Pack 2012”.

The visitors to the exhibition had a special opportunity to sample premium Indian wines from seven wine companies from India, namely, M/s John Distilliers, M/s Chataeu ‘d Ori, M/s Renaissance Winery Pvt. Ltd., M/s Nashik Vinters Pvt. Ltd., M/s Vintage Wines Pvt. Ltd., M/s Vallonne Vineyards Pvt. Ltd. and M/s Valle De Vin Pvt. Ltd.  The Indian companies were encouraged by the interest shown in the good quality Indian wines and noticed the potential demand for sweet wines / dessert wines in Sri Lanka.

High Commission of India in association with APEDA, All India Wine Producers Association and Taj Samudra Colombo also organized a function “Appreciating Indian Wines” at the Hotel Taj Samudra in the evening of 8th July  which was graced by  Ashok K. Kantha, High Commissioner of India and attended by representatives from Sri Lankan tourism and hospitality sector like hotels, restaurants, prominent chambers of commerce and industry, government officials from concerned departments and private sector companies.

India produces more than 13.5 million litres of wine annually and the Indian wine industry, according to The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), growing at a rate of 35% is expected to reach turnover of INR 2700 crores in 2012. Indian wines are fast developing a reputation in the world market.